Making the decision to move abroad is a difficult one, but sometimes, deciding where you want to live is the hardest part. Using its member reviews, Nomad List curated a compilation of the best and worst places for expats to live based on a variety of categories including safety, racial tolerance, affordability, and quality of life. Here is a list of their top ten recommendations.
10. Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
Ko Pha Ngan gets bumped from the top five due to its low scores in walkability, traffic safety, and racial tolerance. However, many expats enjoy its overall safety, warm temperatures, affordability, and abundance of places to work remotely throughout the city.
9. Prague, Czechia
According to Nomad List, Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, can be a difficult place to meet people and make friends, but its affordability, safety, and high quality of education keep it in the top 10.
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8. Bangkok, Thailand
With low scores in racial tolerance, air quality, and traffic safety, Bangkok comes in lower on the list, at the number eight spot. Some of the positives include nightlife, walkability, and friendliness to foreigners.
7. Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei received a score of 4.56 out of 5, mostly for its affordability, walkability, and friendliness to foreigners. However, it rates low on people density (overcrowding) and temperate which is hot and very humid most of the year.
6. Serbia, Belgrade
The capital of Belgrade, Serbia is a landlocked city that neighbors Romania and Hungry. According to Nomad List, the city struggles with LGBTQ+ tolerance, but received high scores in walkability, nightlife, affordability, and fast internet speeds.
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina
According to Nomad List, Buenos Aires has a host of positive elements including great hospitals, nightlife, and places to work in the city. Overall, the city received a score of 4.61 out of 5, with its review of overall safety and English speakers bringing the number down a bit.
4. Berlin, Germany
Often celebrated for its diversity, tolerance, and art scene, Berlin also received high marks for its safety, nightlife, quality of life, and friendliness towards foreigners.
3. Canguu, Bali, Indonesia
Canggu is a resort village on the south coast of the Indonesian island of Bali. Although it received low reviews in healthcare and traffic safety, this island paradise takes the number 3 spot for its level of safety, friendliness to foreigners, and quality of life.
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2. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a city that is popping up on a lot of lists these days. From the weather, culture, and stunning landscapes, tourists are flocking to Lisbon more than ever before. Nomad List ranked the city number 2 with a score of 4.68 out of 5. It received strong scores in safety, walkability, and quality of life.
1. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest took the top spot with a score of 4.75 out of 5. Although the city ranks high in internet speeds, air quality, and walkability, reviewers were not please with its racial or LGBTQ+ tolerance.